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It was over.
The season wrapped up in the glittering seats of Abu Dhabi, where a new world champion was finally crowned.
All 18 over drivers went to celebrate the new winner, with most of the grid being genuinely happy for him, and the others just being there out of sheer boredom.
But..
Someone was missing.
And that someone was a certain Japanese man.
It wasn't even because he wasn't happy for his fellow racer, nor was it because he had any responsibilities or media duties, he had finished those ages ago, he was just.. tired.
Tired of everything and everyone.
He felt hollow, it wasn't a new feeling though.
Yet, this time it hit him harder than it ever had before.
It was like feeling everything and nothing at the same time.
"How did it end like this?"
That was the only sentence ringing in Yuki's head, almost like a bell that had been tolling, and it had been sounding since.. huh? Since when? He lost track. It didn't matter anyway.
Truly, how had it turned out like this? Yuki hadn't found an answer to that yet.
The start of his season was looking promising with his early promotion to the senior team, something he'd always dreamed of.
Little did he know, that dream would soon turn into a nightmare.
And before he knew it, he was out.
But this time it wasn't out of a qualifying or a race,
He was out of a seat, out of a career.
The team had picked Isack to replace him, and added a new rookie to the junior team. And.. boom.
No more Yuki.
No more 22 on track.
And no more career for Tsunoda.
And Yuki couldn't do anything about it, he only stared down at his hands as he sat in his garage behind his Redbull car.
The car that had failed him over and over.
He wanted to punch that damn car so badly.
But he knew better, so he hit the walls of the garage earlier as an alternative.
It didn't help though, it only bruised his knuckles pretty badly, turning them a shade of deep purple.
Did he really blame the car or the team though?
Absolutely not.
No matter how logical the argument was, the only words ringing in his head were "it's my fault."
The garage was completely empty by now, all the engineers either on Max's side or they'd already gone home. No one was there to see Yuki falling apart, and none of that pre or post-race noise that left him overstimulated and tired every time. Just plain silence.
Yuki didn't disturb the quiet either. No sobbing, no tears. Just an internal sense of failure swallowing him whole, suppressing any noise he wanted to make.
Then he heard it,
Footsteps.
Not walking calmly, but running towards his garage with a sound that screamed a sense of desperation.
However, Yuki didn't move. He simply didn't care anymore.
"Yuki!!" Someone yelled, their voice coated with a specific French accent.
That hit Yuki like a punch to the gut.
Of course he came, there was no way he wouldn't.
But this time, Yuki would be lying if he said he was happy about it.
All he wanted was to just disappear silently, with no one asking about him or paying him any attention whatsoever, but of course, Pierre had to care.
Pierre sat down on the floor next to Yuki, putting his hand on the others shoulder.
Yuki only stared straight ahead, not leaning into Pierre's touch like normal, but this time, he moved away instead of towards, pushing Pierre's hand away.
Shit.
That's when it really cracked, Yuki was beyond saving.
It was way too late now.
He'd never done something like this before, he used to always melt into Pierre's arms instantly, as if it was his natural instinct.
But now.. he didn't even hesitate as he pushed Pierre's warmth away.
"Yuki... What's going on with you?!" Pierre blurted out before he could stop himself.
Yuki only laughed bitterly, his voice empty with no emotion resonating in it at all. "I wonder.. Truly a mystery huh?" He finally spoke, his voice a sharp dagger wrapped in a silk layer of sarcasm.
"No- I didn't mean it like that Yuki! Shit.. I mea-"
"Save your breath." Yuki interrupted. "Your useless apologies or bullshit encouragement won't do anything now."
Pierre's eyes widened, he knew Yuki was hot-headed, but he never expected it to be taken out on him.
They just sat there in complete silence, Pierre unsure how to diffuse the tension.
Suddenly, Yuki stood up, not shaking, not quickly, just calm and slow, as if he didn't have the energy to go any faster.
He walked to the garage exit, his footsteps leaving no sound or trail.
Pierre scrambled up, almost tripping on his own feet in his haste as he rushed towards Yuki, grabbing his wrist desperately.
"Yuki.. Please." He managed, choking on his own words as a sense of dread filled his chest violently.
He finally caught a glimpse of Yuki's eyes, the same eyes that were always lit up whenever Pierre was around now completely dark, betraying no emotion, only displaying a feeling of hopelessness that had crept into Yuki's mind months ago.
Yuki pulled his hand from the others grasp with close to no resistance from Pierre, and he turned his back on his partner as he walked away.
"I'm sorry."